Charitable status of churches put at risk

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Britain's charity watchdog has put the charitable status of the nation's churches in question after it ruled that a congregation in Devon in the south west of England did not exist for public benefit.

According to a Christian Concern article under charity law, churches and other organisations must show that their existence has some form of "public benefit."

But in a letter to the Plymouth Brethren, the Charity Commission explained its refusal to grant charitable status to one of the denomination's churches in Devon.

Head of legal services for the commission, Kenneth Dibble, stated: "This decision makes it clear that there was no presumption that religion generally, or at any more specific level, is for the public benefit, even in the case of Christianity or the Church of England."

Christian Concern went on to report that a committee of MPs is currently investigating the Charity Commission. Some of these have expressed concern that the Charity Commission is engaged in a "politically correct" campaign aimed at supressing Christianity.

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Charlie Elphicke MP, a Conservative member of the committee who disclosed the letter, said: "The concern of many of us is that they [the commission] are actively trying to suppress religion in the UK, particularly Christian religion, with a kind of north London, Hampstead secularist approach."

MP for Harlow Robert Halfon, another member of the committee, said: "I think there has been some kind of conspiracy by people in the commission ... They are using this group as a test case to have a wider go at Christian groups."

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey also voiced his unease at the decision: "I do believe we need to hold the Charity Commission to account as much as they hold religion and any social service to account. I believe Christianity has a ... great record in terms of serving the community ... education and in all kinds of ways."

A law introduced in 2006 means that organisations which previously gained charitable status automatically now have to demonstrate "public benefit".

Professor Peter Luxton, an expert in charity law at Cardiff University, said the Charity Commission's attempt to define public benefit was "a nonsense", since the 2006 law did not make any changes to the definition of a charity.

He added: "The commission has been completely out of control."

This is thought to be the first time the commission has denied charitable status to a religious organisation, opening up the possibility that other Christian groups may lose out.

"This is a good time to remember the huge public benefit that Jesus Christ has brought to our nation," said Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern.

"In his life and teachings, he promoted the values of service, compassion, generosity and tolerance, all rooted in love. The public benefit of such values is not disputed by any clear-thinking person.

"So much of what we hold dear as a nation - including healthcare, education and just laws - has arisen from Christian ideas.

"The Charity Commission does indeed need to be held to account over its decision and I hope the Public Administration Select Committee will have every success in doing so".